January 04, 2006

Nokia 770 WiFi Device

According to this WSJ article, Nokia's 770 is sold out! They are now ramping up production to meet unexpected demand. What is surprising about that is that it is not even sold in stores. You can only buy it from the Nokia web site.

Kari Tuutti, spokesman for Nokia's multimedia division, said the company plans to broaden distribution to include retailers of mobile phones and electronic gadgets. He said sales expectations for the 770 initially had been conservative, as it is an entirely new product category. Nokia wouldn't provide specifics on production and sales numbers.

Mr. Tuutti said Nokia is in talks with broadband Internet service providers and Wi-Fi network operators about offering the 770 as a bundle with services. This could increase volumes for the product, because it could be given away just as mobile phones or digital TV set-top boxes come free with a service contract.

I like the idea of this device. I can never seem to find a comfortable position to use my laptop when I am reading news or responding to quick emails while relaxing. This device seems to have the right form factor for that and other uses such as when you are out-and-about.

Om Malik wrote an early review of it here. Russell Beattie posted about it too.